Match Preview: Arsenal v Manchester City

This will be the second meeting in five days between these two sides. Manchester City were 3-0 winners in the Carabao Cup Final on Sunday at Wembley. Arsenal put in a terrible performance and should be looking to make amends on Thursday when they host Man City in North London.

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Man City have won three of their last five league games (D1, L1) and are 13 points clear at the top of the table. They have got their first trophy of the season with the Carabao Cup and they have one hand firmly on the Premier League trophy.

Arsenal’s inconsistent form in their last five league games (W2, D3) has left them in 6th place and 10 points off the top four. They will almost certainly be missing out on a Champions League place for the second consecutive season.

Team News

Arsenal’s only injury problem is Nacho Monreal who went off in the Carabao Cup Final with a back problem. It has also ruled him out of Sunday’s trip to Brighton. Henrikh Mkhitaryan could be recalled to the starting line up after being cup-tied for the game at Wembley.

Man City are likely to be without Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho for Thursday’s trip. Sterling is still doubtful after missing two games with a muscular problem. Midfielder Fernandinho is definitely out with a hamstring strain sustained in the win against Arsenal on Sunday.

Left-back Fabian Delph serves the second match of a three-game suspension.

Prediction

Arsenal have a decent home record and if they still have any pride, they have to bounce back from the cup final defeat against Man City. However, Pep Guardiola’s side will be on a high after winning their first trophy. My prediction is Arsenal 1-3 Manchester City.